Prescription Medicine Safety – Resources for Teens & Tweens
Seymour says, “Remember that your choices affect you, your friends, your family, and your community. You deserve the facts from reliable sources like the ones listed here. Check out these videos, games, and facts:”
How Prescription Drugs are Misused:
- Taking someone else’s prescription to self-medicate.
- Taking a prescription medication in a way other than prescribed.
- Taking a medication to get high.
Today, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug misuse is becoming a growing concern. Many people do not see the misuse of OTC and prescription drugs as a threat to their health.
Several factors contribute to the danger of misusing OTC and prescription drugs. The amount of a substance taken can determine if it becomes toxic. This means products like OTC and prescription drugs can be harmful, even deadly if they are used in the wrong amount or wrong way. Prescription drug misuse can cause.
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures, passing out
- Addiction
- Coma
- Death
Test your knowledge: Find out what you know about drugs
Read Real Questions from Real Teens: What are other teens asking about drugs and drug abuse?
PEERx: Get the facts about prescription drug abuse
Videos: Watch videos about drug abuse
Check out these great videos, including an interactive video, to learn about over-the-counter medicines and the Drug Facts label.
The Over-the-Counter Drug Facts Label video:
Learn how to safely use over-the-counter medicine
Check out more videos at the FDA Resources For You Video Room.
Learn more about prescription and OTC substance misuse from SADD:
- What We Know
- Link to More Information
- Warning Signs
- Find Related Articles, Studies & Other Resources
You have probably heard a lot about the “opioid overdose crisis” in the news lately. But what are opioids? And why are they such a problem? Learn more.
The Safe To Call Campaign was developed to educate teens and young adults and inspire them to help prevent deaths due to drug overdose and alcohol poisoning by calling 911 at the first sign of trouble.
No one should have to lose their life because someone else was afraid of getting in trouble. Good Samaritan laws provide some protections for individuals who call 911, identify themselves by name and stay until help arrives. Even for those who are under the legal drinking age of 21.
Care about creating a healthy community for ALL? Learn more about the Poe Center’s Youth Empowerment Teams here.
Other substances like alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can poison the body:
- Nicotine poisoning: E-nicotine solutions are often colorful and may be attractive to children or misuse by young people and adults. Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal to children. Signs of nicotine poisoning include nausea, vomiting, tremors, dizziness, sweating, and rapid heart rate. Seizures and death may occur.
- Alcohol Poisoning: An alcohol overdose occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down. Alcohol overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
- Did someone collapse, have a seizure, or stop breathing?
- Call 911.
Did someone taste or swallow e-liquid?
- Wipe out the mouth.
- Give a few sips of water.
- Call 1-800-222-1222.
Did someone get e-liquid in the eyes?
- Rinse eyes with lukewarm running water for 15-20 minutes.
- Call 1-800-222-1222.
Did someone get e-liquid on the skin?
- Rinse with cool water and soap.
- Call 1-800-222-1222.
Did someone vape too much or vape something other than the intended substance?
- Call 1-800-222-1222.